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• Primary Material: Soapstone / Shoushan Stone
• Type: Seals
• Features: Handcarved, Signed, Inscribed
• Region of Origin: China
• Age: Late Qing Dynasty / Republic Period (19th-20th Century)
• Height:~ 6 inches (approx. 15 cm)
• Weight: 680 grams (1.5 lbs)
• Subject: Budai (Laughing Buddha) & Landscape Calligraphy
Description
Beautiful Large Antique/Vintage Chinese Carved Shoushan Soapstone Scholar\'s Desk Seal
Up for sale is a magnificent and substantially heavy Chinese desktop seal (chop), masterfully hand-carved from a single piece of high-quality Shoushan soapstone.
Key Features & Details:
• Imposing Size & Weight: Standing at 6 inches tall and weighing an impressive 680 grams, this is a prominent, large-scale cabinet piece rather than a small personal stamp. It functions beautifully as a scholar\'s paperweight or an interior sculpture.
• Exquisite Budai Finial: The top features a finely detailed carving of Budai (the Laughing Buddha / Hotei), the traditional symbol of happiness, wealth, and good fortune. The figure is captured with a joyful expression, showcasing wonderful depth and natural aging to the stone.
• Classical Poetic Inscription: The side of the cylinder is delicately incised with a landscape scene and a classical Chinese poem by the famous Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu (\"Quatrain\"). The visible characters include \"東吳\" (Eastern Wu) and \"萬\" (Ten Thousand), referencing the arrival of trading ships from distant lands—a classic motif symbolizing peace and prosperous commerce.
• Artist Signed: There is a distinct, thin-line incised stylized signature/mark near the landscape scene on the side.
• Material & Patina: The stone features a wonderful rich amber-honey tone with natural dark veins and an authentic waxy luster. The base is deeply carved with traditional Zhuanshu (seal script) characters.
Condition Report:
Excellent antique/vintage condition with normal signs of age. No major cracks, chips, or restorations. The incised lines retain their original dark pigment fillers well. Please review all high-resolution photos for a precise look at the condition, stone texture, and measurements.
A phenomenal addition to any collection of Chinese scholar\'s studio objects, Asian art, or vintage Shoushan stone carvings.
